Analyst Ratings February 2, 2026

RBC Keeps Outperform on Axsome, Cites AXS-05 Upside from Alzheimer’s Agitation Opportunity

Analyst sees material upside if AXS-05 wins approval; peers lift price targets after strong preliminary sales results

By Priya Menon AXSM
RBC Keeps Outperform on Axsome, Cites AXS-05 Upside from Alzheimer’s Agitation Opportunity
AXSM

RBC Capital reiterated an Outperform rating on Axsome Therapeutics (AXSM) with a $219 price target, placing emphasis on the commercial opportunity for AXS-05 in Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease (ADA). The firm compared prescribing patterns for a competitor drug to assess market potential and flagged AXS-05’s safety and efficacy as competitive advantages. Multiple other brokerages have raised price targets following Axsome’s preliminary, unaudited Q4 2025 revenue projection of roughly $196 million, up 65% versus Q4 2024.

Key Points

  • RBC Capital reiterated an Outperform rating on Axsome with a $219 price target, emphasizing AXS-05’s opportunity in Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease (ADA). - Sectors impacted: Healthcare, Biotech, Capital Markets.
  • RBC projects at least $1.4 billion in peak sales for AXS-05 and sees AXSM potentially moving above $200 upon ADA approval, with further upside during launch.
  • Axsome’s preliminary unaudited Q4 2025 product revenue is projected at roughly $196 million, a 65% increase year-over-year; multiple brokers raised price targets following the update.

RBC Capital reiterated an Outperform rating for Axsome Therapeutics (NASDAQ: AXSM) and assigned a $219.00 price target, citing significant upside tied to the company’s AXS-05 candidate and its potential role in treating Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease (ADA).

In its analysis, RBC examined prescription trends for a comparator product, Rexulti, to frame the commercial landscape for ADA. The firm stated that AXS-05 appears to offer a preferable combination of safety and efficacy, and that view underpins RBC’s confidence in a robust product launch if the drug secures ADA approval.

RBC quantified the market opportunity by projecting peak sales of at least $1.4 billion for AXS-05. The firm further estimated that AXSM shares could trade above $200 in the event of ADA approval, with additional upside expected as the commercial rollout advances.

Beyond AXS-05, RBC highlighted Axsome’s late-stage and commercial portfolio as underappreciated by investors. The firm listed Sunosi, Symbravo, AXS-12, and AXS-14 as material pipeline and commercial assets and characterized them as, in their view, "largely a free call option."

Axsome’s recent financial communication played a role in shifting sentiment among other brokerages. The company reported preliminary unaudited results projecting approximately $196 million in total product revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025, representing a 65% increase versus the same quarter in 2024.

Following that release, H.C. Wainwright raised its price target to $260 and kept a Buy rating in place. Baird moved its price target to $209, citing strong sales across Axsome’s commercial products, notably Auvelity and Sunosi. Piper Sandler raised its target to $223 after meetings with Axsome senior management, emphasizing Auvelity’s commercial potential in treating Alzheimer’s-related agitation. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an Overweight rating and set a $153 price target, pointing to the company’s strategic execution plans and financial stability.

On the clinical development front, Axsome has initiated a Phase 3 program for AXS-14 targeting fibromyalgia. The company said the first patient has been dosed in the FORWARD trial, which is designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of esreboxetine.

Collectively, the analyst commentary and the company’s preliminary financials underscore heightened market attention on Axsome’s near-term commercial execution and the regulatory path for AXS-05. RBC’s Outperform stance and other brokers’ upward price target revisions reflect a more bullish consensus among several firms, while the company’s ongoing trials and multiple marketed products remain focal points for investors.

Risks

  • Regulatory outcome risk for AXS-05 - the stock’s upside case is contingent on ADA approval and the article notes expected share movement only if approval occurs. - Markets impacted: Healthcare, Biotech.
  • Preliminary unaudited financial figures - the Q4 2025 revenue projection is unaudited, which introduces uncertainty about final reported results. - Markets impacted: Capital Markets, Pharmaceuticals.
  • Clinical development and commercialization execution - pipeline drugs such as AXS-14 are in active trials and other products are described as underappreciated, indicating uncertainty around trial results and market adoption. - Markets impacted: Healthcare, Biotech.

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